Is Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler the Starting Quarterback for the Saints? 2025 Fantasy Football Depth Charts

Jp's fantasy football outlooks and QB position battle analysis for Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. Who is the Saints starting quarterback for 2025 fantasy football?

When longtime starting quarterback Derek Carr announced his surprise retirement on May 10, the New Orleans Saints were suddenly faced with a glaring void at the most important position on the field. Carr, a veteran leader and stabilizing presence, had been expected to return for at least one more season. His departure left the franchise scrambling for answers in a quarterback market that was already thinning out. But just weeks later, the Saints made a decisive move.

With the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, New Orleans selected 25-year-old Tyler Shough, a quarterback out of the University of Louisville. At the time of the draft, Shough was the oldest player selected, even older than NFL quarterback Trey Lance, taken third overall in 2021. Despite his age, Shough’s draft stock had climbed late in the process thanks to a breakout season and strong pre-draft interviews. Now, he enters Saints training camp in a head-to-head battle with second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler for the coveted QB1 role.

The competition is one of the most intriguing in the league, not just because of the talent involved, but also due to the unconventional journeys both signal-callers took to reach this point.

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Tyler Shough: A Winding Road to the Big Easy

Shough’s path to the NFL has been anything but linear. A highly touted high school prospect from Arizona, he received offers from powerhouse programs like Alabama, Arizona State, and Cal, but ultimately committed to the University of Oregon. After redshirting his freshman year in 2018, Shough saw limited action in 2019.

He finally got his opportunity in 2020, starting seven games and throwing for 1,559 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

While his performance showed promise, Shough sought a program where he could truly be the full-time starter and further develop his skills. That led him to transfer to Texas Tech. Unfortunately, injuries became a recurring theme. In 2021, just four games into the season, he broke his collarbone.

The following year, he re-injured the same collarbone in Week 1, again derailing a promising campaign. Still, he returned to lead the Red Raiders to a 5–0 finish, capped off by being named MVP of the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl.

Using the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver, Shough was granted an additional year of eligibility, setting the stage for a potential breakout in 2023. But once again, fate intervened, and he suffered a broken fibula in Week 4, cutting short yet another season.

Most quarterbacks would have walked away by then, but not Shough. Determined to end his college career on a high note, he transferred to Louisville for the 2024 season. Finally healthy, Shough delivered his best season yet: 3,195 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and an 8–4 record. His strong arm, high football IQ, and perseverance caught the attention of NFL scouts just in time.

This throw from Tyler Shough is ABSURD 😂 pic.twitter.com/O115UUVQVr

— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) April 26, 2025

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 224 pounds, Shough checks all the boxes physically. He’s polished, mature, and shows excellent pocket awareness and defensive processing, traits that led CBS Sports’ Dave Richard to draw comparisons to Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. Like Foles, Shough can elevate a talented roster, though he may struggle to carry a team single-handedly.

Fortunately for him, the Saints have weapons.

Spencer Rattler: From Netflix Star to NFL Underdog

Rattler’s journey is well-known, especially to fans who watched Netflix’s QB1: Beyond the Lights. The documentary followed his senior year at Pinnacle High School, where he was one of the nation's top quarterback prospects. A four-star recruit, Rattler committed to the University of Oklahoma, a program known for producing NFL quarterbacks.

In 2020, as a redshirt freshman, Rattler put up eye-popping numbers: 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. He entered the 2021 season as a Heisman Trophy favorite, but things quickly unraveled. Struggles with decision-making and ball security, especially during the Red River Rivalry against Texas, led to him being benched in favor of true freshman Caleb Williams.

By season’s end, Williams and head coach Lincoln Riley both were headed to USC. Rather than stay and play under new head coach Brent Venables, Rattler opted to transfer to South Carolina, reuniting with former Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer.

Spencer Rattler’s career at South Carolina was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but it certainly had its defining moments. In a 2022 clash against fifth-ranked Tennessee, Rattler delivered one of the greatest performances in program history, leading the Gamecocks to a stunning 63–38 upset. He shredded the Volunteers' defense, throwing for 438 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating his elite arm strength and poise under pressure.

Just one week later, Rattler added another marquee win to his resume, this time against in-state rival and eighth-ranked Clemson. In that hostile environment, he threw for 360 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also rushing for a critical score.

Unfortunately, the momentum didn’t carry over into the 2023 season. Playing behind a patchwork offensive line in the brutal SEC, Rattler did his best to keep the Gamecocks afloat. He threw for 3,186 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions but managed just a 5–7 record.

Draft analysts had mixed opinions on him. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the No. 7 quarterback, a draft class led by the man who replaced him at Oklahoma, Caleb Williams, and the No. 77 overall player on their draft board. But in a quarterback-heavy 2024 draft class, the top six passers were all off the board by pick 12.

Rattler had to wait until the fifth round, where the Saints selected him 150th overall.

Despite the late selection, Rattler saw meaningful snaps as a rookie when Carr went down midseason. In seven games, Rattler threw for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions, flashes of potential mixed with rookie inconsistency.

SPENCER RATTLER TOUCHDOWN 😤pic.twitter.com/tFBjIuIoWd

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 11, 2024

Still, he gained valuable NFL experience, which could give him a leg up heading into training camp.

The Saints’ Quarterback Conundrum

With Carr out of the picture, the Saints have two young(ish) and hungry quarterbacks battling it out in what could be one of the most closely watched competitions in the league.

On one side is Rattler, the more mobile and improvisational of the two. He has NFL snaps under his belt and a high ceiling when protected. On the other is Shough, a prototypical pocket passer with a veteran-like presence and excellent decision-making when healthy.

The Saints also have the luxury of a strong supporting cast. Wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed provide explosive playmaking on the outside, while veteran running back Alvin Kamara remains a dual-threat cornerstone in the backfield. Tight end Juwan Johnson has emerged as a red zone weapon, and the offensive line, when healthy, can hold its own.

All that’s missing is a steady hand at quarterback.

What’s Next for the Saints?

So, who takes the first snap under center on September 7 when the Saints open the season at home against the Arizona Cardinals?

As of now, most analysts give a slight edge to Rattler, citing his NFL experience and familiarity with the team’s playbook. But the buzz around Shough continues to grow, especially given his physical tools and maturity. A strong preseason performance from either quarterback could easily tilt the competition.

Spencer Rattler has his 1st career touchdown pass!

📺: #TBvsNO on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/KJGwSxKxIp

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

Still, don’t rule out a late addition. Rumors have circulated that the Saints may explore bringing in a veteran quarterback before training camp begins. Names such as Kirk Cousins have been discussed as potential trade targets.

While those are long shots, they reflect the Saints’ urgency to win now and not waste the prime years of their offensive core.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s Shough, Rattler, or a surprise veteran, the Saints’ 2025 season will hinge on quarterback play. With talent at the skill positions and a defense that can keep games close, New Orleans doesn’t need an MVP candidate. They need a quarterback who can protect the football, lead the huddle, and make smart decisions in crunch time.

As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on this quarterback battle. For Shough and Rattler, it’s not just about winning a job, it’s about proving they belong. For Saints fans, it’s about finding hope in a new era, one snap at a time.

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